EDTC 3320-01 – Instructional DesignWilliam Michel

Project 2: Learning Theories

Presentation

Behaviorism and Cognitivism

Behaviorism is the theory that involves conditioning as the method behind the way something is learned. Conditioning is found

by interacting with the environment.

Cognitivism is the newer theory that involves taking into consideration how a person

thinks, perceives, remembers and learns.

Behaviorist Profile

Edward Thorndike(August 31, 1874 – August 9, 1949)

Best Known For:

The Law of Effect

Animal Research

Known as the “father of modern educational psychology”

Trial-and-error learning theorist

Difficult to transfer learning to novel

situations. Unpredictable result

when stimulus is absent. No problem solving

strategies.

Teaching facts, simple procedures, concepts,

and rules. Most successful when

learning cues are the same as desired

performance.

Behaviorism Strengths

BehaviorismWeaknesses

Edward ThorndikePublications

Educational Psychology, (1903)Introduction to the Theory of Mental and

Social Measurements, (1904)The Elements of Psychology, (1905)

Animal Intelligence, (1911)The Measurement of Intelligence, (1927)

The Fundamentals of Learning, (1932)

Cognitivist Profile

Jean Piaget(August 9, 1896– September 16, 1980)

Best Known For:

Theory of cognitive development

Genetic epistemology

"The principle goal of education in the schools should be creating men and

women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other

generations have done.”-Jean Piaget

Creates uniform behaviors.

Assumes behavior is the only or best way.

Skill transfer.

Effective to teach-Complex behaviors

-The best way to perform a task-Specific way to perform

-Rules or ways to think

Cognitivism Strengths

CognitivismWeaknesses

Jean PiagetPublications

Origins of Intelligence in the Child (1936) Play, Dreams and Imitation in Childhood (1945)

Main Trends in Psychology (1970)Genetic Epistemology (1970)

Memory and Intelligence (1973)

Summary

Behaviorism is the theory that involves conditioning as the method behind the way something is learned. Edward Thorndike was a behaviorist and believed in

the Law of Effect.

Cognitivism is the newer theory that involves taking into consideration how a person thinks, perceives,

remembers and learns. Jean Piaget was a cognitivist and believed in the theory of cognitive

development.

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thorndike.htmCherry, K. (2014). Cognitive psychology: the science of how we think. About. Retrieved

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Cherry, K. (2014). Jean Piaget's life and contributions to psychology. About. Retrieved 17 October 2014, from

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http://teachinglearningresources.pbworks.com/w/page/19919565/Learning%20Theories

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